Equipment
Callaway (finally) launches new Apex MB and X Forged irons
It’s been a long time coming for the release of Callaway’s new Apex Muscleback (MB) irons to the public. It was all the way back in January of this year when we first spotted Apex MB irons. Patrick Reed was testing the irons, and Rory McIlroy — before he joined TaylorMade’s staff — was testing a raw, prototype version of the clubs. Since then, the new Apex MB irons have popped up in the bags of other tour players, most notably Danny Lee (full set) and Phil Mickelson (8-PW).
Finally, Callaway has officially launched the Apex MB irons.
Along with the Apex MB irons, Callaway has also announced that it’s releasing another highly anticipated set of irons that are made for better players: the new X Forged, which we’ve only recently spotted in the bags of Phil Mickelson (3, 5-7) and Sang-Moon Bae (full set).
Callaway 2013 X Forged (left) vs. 2018 X Forged
Callaway’s X Forged irons — first released in 2007, then in 2009, and not again until 2013 — are on a lengthy release rotation, far from the company’s Apex line that gets a new model at least every two years. The X Forged name, possibly due to that few-and-far-between release schedule, has garnered a cult-like appreciation from better players over the years, so this new release of X Forged irons will certainly be significant for those long-time fans.
Find out below what’s new and improved about the Apex MB and the X Forged irons compared to their predecessors, and see what GolfWRX members are saying here.
Callaway Apex MB ($1,299.99)
Callaway’s Apex MB irons are the product of direct feedback from the company’s Tour staffers, according to Luke Williams, Director of Product and Brand Management at Callaway. Forged from 1025 Carbon Steel, the irons are unapologetically made for the best players in the world, and they’re designed with the needs and wishes of Tour players in mind.
These blade irons have the shortest blade lengths, the thinnest soles and the smallest overall heads in the vast line of Callaway irons. They’re designed for maximum workability, for tour-desired turf interaction, and to cut through the thick rough that tour players face week-in and week-out.
With what Williams calls “classic lofts,” the irons are designed for players who know their distances and place more importance on consistent distances than hitting the ball farther. That means the clubs have weaker lofts than any of the other irons in Callaway’s lineup, and the single-piece forgings are not juiced with distance-enhancing technologies.
These irons, which are made with “20V” grooves and “optimized CG (center of gravity),” are for players who strike the center of the club consistently, and who want complete control over spin and trajectory.
Callaway’s Apex MB irons (2-PW, AW), with a Chrome finish, will sell for $1,299.99 starting on November 3 in both right- and left-handed options.
See what GolfWRX members are saying about the irons in our forums.
Callaway X Forged ($1,299.99)
While the new X Forged irons are also designed for Tour players and better amateurs, these irons aren’t “as intimidating” as the Apex Muscleback irons, according to Williams. That’s because, although they’re also single-piece forgings, the blade lengths are slightly longer, the overall head shapes are slightly larger, and they are cavity-back irons made for a bit more forgiveness.
Like the Apex MB irons, the soles of the X Forged irons are built for the turf interaction that’s desired by Tour players, and the head profiles are tour-inspired. The lofts are slightly stronger throughout the set than the Apex MB, but are still weaker than the game-improvement style irons in Callaway’s stable. That means better players will see the ball launch in the “desired window,” according to Williams.
Callaway 2017 X Forged (left) vs. 2017 Apex MB
The X Forged irons are “triple net forged,” according to Callaway, and they have progressive CGs with 20V grooves on the face.
Sets of X Forged irons (3-PW) will hit stores on November 3 in both right- and left-handed options, and they will also sell for $1,299.99.
See what GolfWRX members are saying about the irons in our forums.
Cameron Young’s WITB from his win at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Cameron is a Titleist staff player but his bag is definitely filled with some unique clubs. Here are the clubs he used to secure his first PGA Tour win!
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Black VeloCore+ 10 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Titleist T100 (5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F @57), WedgeWorks (60-K* @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Prototype
- Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (10 degrees, C2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
7-wood: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (4, 5), Titleist T100 (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F, 56-08M @57, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Fastback 1.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Yellow
We’re proud to once again partner with 2nd Swing Golf to bring you GolfWRX Members Choice 2025! 2nd Swing has more than 150,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
What is the best driver in 2025? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. When it comes to the best driver of 2025, we want to know what our forum faithful think.
Since our founding in 2005, the bedrock of GolfWRX.com has been the community of passionate and knowledgeable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members — the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
Below are the results of GolfWRX member voting for the 2025 best driver, along with the vote percentage for each club.
Best driver of 2025: The top 5
5. Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond: 6.02%
Callaway’s pitch: “For golfers looking for a fast, forgiving, yet workable driver, the Elyte Triple Diamond features a tour-inspired shape and is the preferred model by most Callaway tour players.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond here.
4. Ping G440 Max: 6.86%
Ping’s pitch: “The most forgiving G440 model, MAX has a hotter face to generate speed and distance, and a lighter overall system weight with a longer shaft (46″) for faster clubhead speed, higher launch and longer carries. The Free Hosel and Carbonfly Wrap crown save weight to create our lowest CG ever and increase forgiveness while contributing to a more muted, pleasing sound.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 Max here.
3. Ping G440 LST: 9.53%
Ping’s pitch: “LST is an especially good fit for faster swings, offering less spin and more control with a penetrating trajectory. A hotter face, lighter overall system weight and longer shaft (46″) deliver more speed and distance while maintaining tight dispersion.”
@phizzy30: “Not a fan of Ping drivers in general, but 440 LST takes the cake. It’s super forgiving across the face for a low spin head, looks and sounds good and the ability to make it play neutral or slightly fade biased through the hosel settings is very appealing.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 LST here.
2. Titleist GT3: 16.55%
Titleist’s pitch: “The GT3 Driver offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization through adjustable performance. Dial in the CG Track to your frequent contact location to make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.”
@mrmikeac: “I’ve been Anti-Titleist for years and years and years (outside of Vokey, of course). With that being said, HOLY BEGEEZUS the GT3 driver is an absolute NUCLEAR MONSTER! This thing blew my G430 10K Max out of the water in every single category. Forgiveness is the biggest thing that stands out of me, the 3 model has always been one of the less forgiving models in the past but this GT3 can take bad shot after bad shot and still end up in the fairway, I think a ton of that has to do with the adjustability, it’s actually effective. Feel and sound is perfect, that solid crack is so addicting to hear and when you hit it out the screws this thing can absolutely bomb it. Titleist, I’m sorry for doubting you. You have converted me.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT3 here.
1. Titleist GT2: 22.91%
Titleist’s pitch: “Delivering impressive distance from any impact point, the Titleist GT2 Driver extracts maximum performance through a forgiving design. Get the stability and added confidence of a high-MOI driver without sacrificing speed.”
@DTorres: “The Titleist GT2 has proven to be the best driver of the year. Packaged in a classic profile, GT2 perfectly balances performance and forgiveness while consistently being a high performer across all categories.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT2 here.
Other drivers receiving >2% of the vote
| Driver | Vote percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Cobra DS Adapt Max K | 4.85% |
| Ping G430 Max 10K | 3.85% |
| Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | 3.68% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 | 3.51% |
| Callaway Elyte | 3.18% |
| Cobra DS Adapt X | 2.34% |
| Cobra DS Adapt LS | 2.17% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 LS | 2.17% |
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Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)
Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2025 Wyndham Championship
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX 3-wood: Titleist...
Camilo Villegas WITB 2025 (July)
Camilo Villegas WITB accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. Villegas was undecided on a 3-wood when we shot his bag. ...
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Brandt Snedeker fired a final-round 65 at the 2018 Wyndham Championship to outlast Webb Simpson and C.T. Pan. His 5-under...
Stephen Finley
Nov 7, 2017 at 11:12 pm
MB: just friggin’ _woof_.
Mat
Nov 7, 2017 at 3:05 pm
Looks like OEMs are starting to settle into 33/37/41/45 for the long haul on 7/8/9/P.
Scott
Oct 23, 2017 at 10:05 pm
Wonder how the X Forged will compare against mizzen jpx 900 forged? I really like the feel I have with my mizzies but I’ve always loved Callaway
Tom Duckworth
Oct 20, 2017 at 6:03 am
The new X Forged clubs look way better than the older ones much more put together on the back side. First set of Callaways I have like the looks of in some time. The blades are OK a blade is a blade I guess. I think I like the MP-18s better but I would think they would play just the same as any other blade iron.
OB
Oct 20, 2017 at 9:54 am
If they “look way better” then they must be better because the look of your WITB is half the game.
AB
Oct 19, 2017 at 10:59 pm
TM came out with their fake ‘forged’ P790s…. and now Cally with their mystery forgings. What’s happening?
jgpl001
Oct 18, 2017 at 5:02 pm
Both look really good
MB’s so like the mp69’s, unreal..
2putttom
Oct 23, 2017 at 1:57 pm
ya ya ya Mizuno has a lock on look a likes.
Kool Aid
Oct 18, 2017 at 12:05 am
No cup face?
finish it
Oct 18, 2017 at 12:04 am
Andrew Tursky is the Assistant Editor at GolfWRX. He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men’s Golf team while earning a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
————-
….. and he forgot to ask where the forging is done ….lol
Thomas A
Oct 18, 2017 at 2:11 pm
Lol. Like any company is going to admit where their club heads are made.
OB
Oct 20, 2017 at 9:55 am
Then we must assume the forging was done in Bangladesh for ¢¢¢¢¢¢ ….
AB
Oct 19, 2017 at 10:57 pm
If the clubs are expensive forgings by Endo as has been suggested ,without proof, then Cally should proudly declare it.
If not, and the clubs are forged in Bangladesh for a couple of dollare each then I can understand why they would want to keep it secret.
All the forum gearheads are so proud of their Japanese-made clubs and know all about the forging factory in which they are made.
If Cally keeps it a secret then we must suspect the worst… and they are overcharging for inferior forging with their name on the clubs to exploit the gullible golfers.
2putttom
Oct 23, 2017 at 2:00 pm
Virage Tech in western China
OB
Oct 23, 2017 at 4:44 pm
Proof?
Miz
Oct 17, 2017 at 11:26 pm
Who stole my MP-69 designs
MB
Oct 17, 2017 at 9:27 pm
“Classic” lofts they say, yet the 9 iron is at 42, then the PW at 47, and then an AW at 51????? NOT classic at all. lol
Milo
Oct 17, 2017 at 3:17 pm
Meh, no reason to upgrade my 13s, actually been thinking about getting some Maltbys to try out.
etc.
Oct 17, 2017 at 5:50 pm
But the Maltby forged clubs will not feeeel the same as the Cally MBs or X-Forged…. and then there is the staaaatus. Do you really want to bag Maltbys when they have never won a tournament? After all, you are what you own.
Milo
Oct 17, 2017 at 6:50 pm
I probably would of bought the maltby DBM forged if i knew about them when i purchased by 13s. I like the look of the DBM forged. If i needed status i would get PXG irons, haha.
2putttom
Oct 17, 2017 at 10:25 pm
say’s a guy gettin round town on a skate board
Milo
Oct 17, 2017 at 10:56 pm
I don’t get it lol
finish it
Oct 18, 2017 at 12:02 am
says tricycle tom
2putttom
Oct 20, 2017 at 10:25 pm
I do have a Can am
Luke
Oct 17, 2017 at 2:26 pm
Was confirmed that these are forged at the Endo Forging House. The creme de la creme of forging.
LenG
Oct 17, 2017 at 2:52 pm
Anti-MAGA Callaway clubs. No wonder they are so expensive and useless.
Jim T
Oct 17, 2017 at 9:06 pm
I want Tursky to tell us where the clubs were forged and finished. You say “confirmed” but by who? It’s Tursky’s job to be open and transparent in his reporting on a most important question.
2putttom
Oct 17, 2017 at 10:27 pm
ya stepped in what?
finish it
Oct 18, 2017 at 12:00 am
creme de la creme …. slurp
Jerry
Oct 17, 2017 at 12:32 pm
Bounce on both sets?
Jim T
Oct 17, 2017 at 11:32 am
“Forged from 1025 Carbon Steel” ….. “triple net forged” …. “Forged 18” …..
Okay, Tursky, now tell us where were they manufactured, where were they forged?
No mention here or on the WRX main forum. Seems like nobody knows.
Jerry
Oct 17, 2017 at 12:32 pm
Well, odds are it’s got to be China in terms of manufacturing/forging.
LenG
Oct 17, 2017 at 2:49 pm
No MAGA here!
2putttom
Oct 17, 2017 at 10:35 pm
@ Virage Tech a step ahead, a step above.
etc.
Oct 18, 2017 at 10:34 pm
Zinc die cast clubheads?!!
Dat
Oct 17, 2017 at 11:19 am
Take $300 off those prices and MAYBE they will sell.
etc.
Oct 17, 2017 at 5:52 pm
But that $300 is what Cally will pay Tiger for playing their clubs.
Scott
Oct 17, 2017 at 9:19 am
I’ve always liked Callaway. I’d try the x forged to compare against my miz jpx forged which I’m happy with.
2putttom
Oct 17, 2017 at 10:38 pm
+1
Lance
Oct 18, 2017 at 12:05 pm
2putttom + 1 = 3putttom
2putttom
Oct 18, 2017 at 9:40 pm
thnx
Lance
Oct 20, 2017 at 4:29 pm
yo bin ‘lanced’… wher da sun don shine …. (_*_)
2putttom
Oct 20, 2017 at 10:22 pm
it was a memorable moment
Tim
Oct 17, 2017 at 9:06 am
More Callaway product?!?!??
Ian
Oct 17, 2017 at 8:33 am
Blades have changed little in what the last 30 or 40 years?
So basically zero RnD and they still try sell them for $1300
2putttom
Oct 17, 2017 at 10:37 pm
oh ye of little faith. Google and research and get back to us.
Ian
Oct 18, 2017 at 3:45 am
Lol if you think these will do anything different
LD
Oct 18, 2017 at 9:38 am
Are you seriously stating that there is new “tech” in blades? SMH
Thomas A
Oct 18, 2017 at 2:14 pm
Forging processes have improved to allow for stricter tolerances. So yes, there is “tech” in new blades.
LD
Oct 18, 2017 at 3:20 pm
Forging processes have not improved dramatically in 40+ years. You bought that marketing trash hook, line, and sinker.
2putttom
Oct 18, 2017 at 9:44 pm
” Not only did this 5th forging step improve the density consistency of the raw forgings, which in turn tightened the +/- weight tolerance of the raw forgings, but this additional forging step further reduced the number of internal voids and improved the consistency of the grain structure of the carbon steel. “
etc.
Oct 18, 2017 at 10:14 pm
Tell them about that “soft buttery feel” after the 5th forging step…. which requires more ‘soaking’ in the furnace to keep the forging temperature up….. or do they only do the ‘custom’ forging for the pro’s who endorse the clubs?!!
2putttom
Oct 23, 2017 at 2:06 pm
etc checked in with Mr. Wishon.
Tom Wishon October 20, 2017
The 5th forging step is to hit the head after the flashing is removed one more time with a die that packs the steel more densely and reduces the final flashing to a very small and narrow line of material that is removed very easily from the outer edges of the head. So not only are there fewer and much smaller voids in the grain structure of the steel which makes the raw forgings MUCH more consistent for weight but it also reduces the amount of grinding to clean up the heads to prepare them for machining and plating. That results in more shape consistency of the heads.
LD
Oct 19, 2017 at 6:06 am
They added another die (5th) to the process. Nothing new under the sun. The rest of that statement is marketing gibberish.
2putttom
Oct 19, 2017 at 9:00 pm
etc good question and one to research I’ll ask Mr. Wishon. LD oh wow… do you have some info to share that will support your mood?
Dave
Oct 20, 2017 at 10:01 pm
You know what they could do? Make the chrome and nickel plating thicker so they never get wear spots. That’s about the only thing that could improve the mizunos/endos/etc.
Dj
Oct 17, 2017 at 8:32 am
$1300 for a set of blades? Hard pass
Lance
Oct 20, 2017 at 4:32 pm
But they shave ever so smooth …..lol
ibogeyalot
Oct 17, 2017 at 8:22 am
these companies want people in golf , yet are still charging over 1,000 for clubs! it is insane!
Thomas A
Oct 17, 2017 at 11:01 am
These clubs aren’t exactly aimed at people just being introduced to golf.
Grandpa Gord
Oct 20, 2017 at 4:37 pm
The only people playing golf nowadays is the “baby boomers” born between 1945 and 1966…. because they are retired or near retired and they have all the money and time to play. These expensive clubs are aimed for that market because the next generation, the X-generation, is too poor to play golf. They are squeezing the last $$$$ out of the dwindling golf club market before the Big Collapse takes full effect…. and you better believe it’s happening now.
Carmen Sandiego
Oct 17, 2017 at 8:03 am
I could have sworn they said they were going to release the MB’s in raw finish….Another chrome blade. Hrmph.
Matt Schulze
Oct 17, 2017 at 11:19 pm
There is a raw finish as well.
Sam
Oct 18, 2017 at 12:35 pm
Will they release a raw version? Will that be limited quantities? Where did you hear this? I’m interested in the raw finish set.
etc.
Oct 18, 2017 at 10:16 pm
Trusty rusty irons?